Because He Will

Recently I was visiting with a lady who was struggling with the fact that she has a child who she feels doesn't totally fit in with other kids. She was worried that this child would struggle throughout life having less friends and not be as happy because of it. This child has some difficulties that will make their life a bit tougher than others have it. And the older the child gets the harder it will be.

I wish I could say that I couldn't relate to her. My selfish side wishes that I had no experience in this area to give her comfort. But I do have some experience, and in the end I am glad that my experience can help someone else. I've been following a few groups on Facebook about Crohn's or parents who have children with IBD, and 1) I am so thankful that Trevor's symptoms aren't as bad as they could be and as bad as some people have it, but 2) I'm very aware that there will probably come a point in his life that it will be much more difficult for him than it is now. I read these articles and posts and I wonder how in the world do these adults make in life? How do they hold down a job? How do they get married and support a family? How do they stand the pain and go on with life and function as a normal person?

Grant and Trevor had a late start with making their pinewood derby car this year because of...well a baby was born, and life was busy. They started the car on the Saturday before the derby, and so Saturday, Monday, and Tuesday nights were spent on the car. Tuesday night was crunch time and the car needed to be painted before Grant got home from work so they could finish it up. After school on Tuesday though, Trevor was flaring. Bad. He was doubled over in pain and could hardly move, but he knew he needed that paint on the car. I tried to offer to paint it for him because he was in so much pain. He didn't go for that. I tried to talk him into not painting it, or doing it the next day and somehow finishing the car before the derby. That wouldn't work for him. I offered to carry him out to the garage so at least he didn't have to walk. He refused that and graciously said he was fine.

So I watched him. I watched him and stood by him as he was doubled over in pain and shuffled out to the garage because he couldn't even lift his feet off the ground because he was in so much pain. He knelt down in the garage and painted the car on the floor. And then when he was done with the first coat, he had to turn around and go back inside. As he was hunched over in pain as he walked back inside, my heart was sad, but proud. He did that process two more times until the car was done being painted. Then that night they finished the car, so he was ready for Wednesday to come.

One day as I was stressing about Trevor and his future, that night before the pinewood derby came into my mind. Trevor will make it. He will get through it. He will do what he has to do because he is Trevor. He was given the gifts and abilities that fit him for this life. Heavenly Father has blessed him with dedication, perseverance, and enough stubbornness that he won't let this get the better of him. He will do what needs to be done and he will be successful because that is who Trevor is. It might not be easy or pain free, but he'll do it. We see our kids struggle and we want to fix it and take it away, but they are okay with what they are going through. What I see as an impossible task for me--if I had to go through that--is manageable for someone else when they have to go through the exact same thing.

And I think that is how all of our kids are--how each one of us are. We all have limitations, struggles, and trials. But we all have been given something to get us through. We have spiritual gifts, talents, and interests that help us.  Heavenly Father has not left us alone to get through this life without something to make it a bit easier. He knows each one of us and knows what we need to get through what life throws at us. So Trevor will get through all of this because he is Trevor, just like each of my kids will be able to get through things that are thrown their way. It may not be easy. It might not be pleasant. It might hurt. But it makes us who we are. And Heavenly Father is right by our side whether we know it or not. And that--that gives my mother-heart comfort.

Ward Camp Out

After being at the cabin we went straight to the ward campout. We saw very little of the boys. They had so much fun hanging out with their friends. Karmin enjoyed being with Savannah and also at one point singing with the Nelsons. Karmin let Lydia and Piper hang out with her a lot. They enjoyed playing games. Grant enjoyed swimming with the girls as well. We all had so much fun. It was a great weekend, and I think we are all so tired!

Weekend Fun

We went up to the cabin on Thursday. At the last minute we thought about Raider. We decided we couldn't leave him for one more weekend home by himself. He is too much of a people dog. We did fit him in the car with all of us. It was tight, but we did it. We had so much fun having him with us this weekend. Apparently he can swim.

 The kids loved throwing sticks for him. They also enjoyed swimming and fishing. It was a lot of fun!

 We went on a walk, and Piper's shoe choice was awesome:

Story Time

After going to the dentist today during Lucy's nap, she was fussy. She wanted to be held, and Lydia luckily wanted to hold her. Lydia started telling her stories, and eventually Lucy fell asleep. Lydia didn't want me to move her and eventually ended up "sleeping" too. (I'm pretty sure she was just resting her eyes.)

First Food

The kids have been so excited for Lucy to turn 6 months so that she could finally eat food. I have been dreading this day. I think it is the first official step that means my baby is growing up. I am happy for her, but part of my heart is breaking. Her firsts are our lasts. But Lucy loved it. She was so excited!

Pumpkins!

When summer was approaching this year, I quickly realized that with Lucy a garden just wasn't going to happen. But I didn't want weeds either. So I had the girls plant pumpkins (this is only 1 side). The only problem is that there is 1 zucchini plant somewhere, but I have yet to find it.

Family Fun

We are trying to enjoy every minute of this summer. We are trying to make memories with our kids. I think both Grant and I are realizing how short time is with them. It has been fun. My to-do list is piling up, but that is okay. It will get done one day. But for now---be warned. If you come over to our house--it is not picked up. Our lawn probably needed to be mowed yesterday. We have weeds that need to be pulled. Dishes need to be done. But our kids are happy. And we are happy. I don't think Grant or I will have any regrets from this summer.

She is so close to being able to swim everywhere!

Family Fishing

The girls wanted to go fishing with Grant so bad last week. Every morning they would wake up and be so put out that Grant didn't take them fishing too. So this weekend we decided to take the girls as well. Poor Grant. We all say that we love to fish, but I don't think anyone can love it as much as he does. Karmin loves it, but she is still young and has her limit too. And using down riggers is just not the same as casting. But we had lots of treats, and so that helped. One day I will go with Grant when we don't have little ones. And I will love being on the boat with him all day long. It will be great. I won't be there for the fishing. I will be there for him (and a good book)! But for now, short trips have to suffice.
As we were leaving, they caught an itty-bitty fish. (They did that last week in the derby too--maybe they should just always be leaving and then maybe they will have more success.)

Sunbeam Party

Today Piper's sunbeam teacher, Sister Nelson, invited the sunbeams and their families to come over for a swim party. Grant and Ben were gone for their big annual cabin activity, so it was so nice to have something fun for the other kids to do. Lucy does not like cool water, so I got to sit with her and take pictures. I was thankful to some other moms for coming over and visiting with me too.

Activity Day Camp

Karmin has always wanted to join boy scouts. She always loved learning what they were learning and helping me out when I was a den leader. I have tried to convince her that activity days is just as fun. But I don't know how convinced she was until she got to go. She finally got to go to camp, and she was so excited that they got to make a necklace and shoot arrows. She did enjoy her time, and I think she is okay with not being in boy scouts. And now it is even more fun because her cousin is in it too!

Finally!

When Karmin turned 7 she asked to get her ears pierced. I was not ready for my baby girl to grow up, so I kind of just ignored the question. Then last month, her cousin got her ears pierced. Then she remembered how much she wanted to get her ears pierced. Karmin isn't one who wants much. When she wants something, which is so rare, she gets pretty focused and determined. So when she asked me if she could get her ears pierced, I thought that she is 8, she can make her own decisions and she is old enough to take care of them. So I told her that she could. But then I wondered how Grant felt about it. Turns out he didn't feel the same as me. But with some convincing, he came to the dark side. He went from not wanting her to pierce her ears to wanting to take her to a tattoo parlor to get it done because they know how to pierce everything! Silly guy.
So I surprised her this morning by telling her that I would take her to get it done. She was beyond excited!! Before:

She picked out a pair of blue flowers. The lady was so good at it. She put the gun up to Karmin's ear, and all of the sudden Karmin knew what was going to happen. You could see just a bit of hesitation in her eyes.

Then after she did the first ear, Karmin winced and said "Oww." No tears. She was focused on the pain, and the lady went to the second side. Karmin started to try to brush her away to tell her that she wasn't sure if she wanted the second side done, but the lady wouldn't stop and got the second one done. A little tylenol later, and Karmin was so happy!

 After:

Boys Away--Girls Will Play

While the boys were gone each day, the girls and I had fun watching "Anne of Green Gables" with Nana. We also enjoyed playing in the sand. One day there was a duck who had Lydia and Piper a little on edge. The duck was a little too friendly for their liking.

But it was okay, they braved it together:

Derby Time

Grant and the boys entered a fishing derby this year. This is the best kind of derby--well any that is not the pinewood derby is great. They had fun together...running on water, taking selfies, and sleeping.

On the final day Trevor caught a bass:

And then Ben pulled in a big one....

I'm pretty sure Ben's fish would have won, but alas neither fish was the right kind for the derby.

Who Knew?

We spent the weekend at Grant's parents' house. And they have carpet. We found out that Lucy can sit up all on her own. I am not sure how long this has been happening because we only have hardwood floors at our house so I have never tried. Poor girl. It will be amazing if she ever learns to crawl.